Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Couch Flambeau have been around since the early early 1980's, and continue to play shows around the Milwaukee area. Unusual for a band to even stay together this long, but then again, Couch Flambeau aren't you're usual band! They are a strange blend of punk pop metal rock with a sense of humor that maybe only Milwaukeens might understand.Then again, some of their music and jokes tend to be very Spinal Tap. The recording,and playing is top notch, and they have three full length albums to date. They started out as The Couch Potatoes, and quickly changed that to the now Couch Flambeau-don't ask me what it means, but at least you will remember them, right?I have their earliest cassette release Curiosity Rocks,which was recorded in 6 hours, and even then showed wild creativity.They're fun and catchy and hard NOT to like!They opened up for all of the cool Midwestern bands who blew through the area:The Violent Femmes, Big Black,The Damned,The Butthole Surfers,The Replacements, and played many local gigs, with just about every other local band. They played every club in Milwaukee, that came along(Cafe Voltaire,soon to be The Odd Rock Cafe or simply The Odd Rock ,The Underground,and many others) and were also well played on WMSE 91.7 FM the city's only college radio station that matters. They developed a fairly large cult following, and still really are a fun band to see, as they drag out most of their material at each show. (most songs are 2-3-4 minute compact little blasts). Always entertaining, never sucking! That could be their t-shirt logo along with a cool customed Hot Wheels car.Look for their other releases: Mammal Insect Marriage (1983), The Day The Music Died (1985),and severals singles and EP's like "We're Not So Smart"/"Mississippi Queen"(yes -that old Mountain song from 1970! )(1986), and the brilliant Models EP (1987), and oh, don't forget Ghostride(1989).All are highly prized,and worth finding! So get to it!Here's a sample of what you've been missing. You're gonna like it- I'm sure!http://rapidshare.com/files/156325784/Couch_Flambeau-Couch_Flambeau.rar.html

Thursday, October 16, 2008

This is the beginning of a new blog,which we wanted to feature mostly Wisconsin bands. And bands from the area around Wisconsin.

Some you might remember, and some you might not know anything about, if we present the music, pure and simple, that might make you want to hear it, and enjoy it.

The Oil Tasters weren't a punk band,just a different group of 3 guys (Richard LaValliere, Caleb Alexander, and Guy Hoffmann )who made music unlike

anything else, so it got tossed into "punk music".

True- they did have an unsual sound-drums, sax and a bass guitar only? Yeah, why not? The music is herky jerky and jazz-like, and angular, so "they" called it post punk rock. I don't know who they are-let's just say the critics.

At the time this album came out, in 1982 anything odd was classified in punk music. But then, there was always a built in small group of people, that came to love this band,and support them,wherever they played any shows. Unfortunately there wasn't enough local support, and clubs to play and make a living out of this, and each member grew and morphed into other projects. But in the early 1980's they were pretty much the "house band" at The Starship. The Starship was the best place to play, and get seen, and sell your music at that time. It was always The Oil Tasters,supported by 1 or 2 or even 3 other bands who opened up for them . Lucky Milwaukeans were able to hear this self titled album and singles by The Oil Tasters on WSOE soon to be WMSE 91.7 FM radio,which was the only college radio station, and it the THEE PLACE to hear when and where the next Oil Tasters show was going to happen.

The Oil Tasters bounced from Chicago to Milwaukee,to Madison for years, and quickly gained a serious fan following. First they released their singles in 1980,and 1981 and even got noticed by Bruce Pavitt who made home made cassette compilations called Sub Pop. The album featured here, is the culmination of their singles, and their one and only album which was

released on Thermidor Records out of Berkeley,California in 1982.

They are truly one of the most unique and wonderful bands to ever come from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and we only wish they'd reform, for a show again, and remind us how great they were,and still are.

I'm still new at posting on blogger, so please be patient ! Here's the real live music link below which will no doubt change your life, once you hear it. Thanks for coming to visit, and you are always encouraged to write comments, and share your stories of

Wisconsin music. And if you don't like this blog, then start your own damn blog.

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What It Is,Where It's At

This site is not for commercial use. This site is for reviews and sampling the music. If you like it-buy it!!! The best this is having a real copy with liner notes,and it sounds better after all. Support the artists and labels,so they can make more music. Thank you!

About Me

You can always email me here:
garage66@live.com
and I will accept items for the blog,and will post anything that relates to the music of this site.
Thanks for coming to take a look.
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So please join the fun.